Zen Educate Raises $37 Million, Acquiring Aquinas Education Amid Teacher Shortage Concerns
A Solution to the Teacher Shortage Crisis: Zen Educate’s Platform Revolutionizes Education Recruitment
In a bid to tackle the growing teacher shortage crisis, online marketplace Zen Educate has secured $37 million in a Series B funding round. This latest investment comes as the company continues to expand its services across the UK and US markets.
The Growing Teacher Shortage Crisis
According to a recent report from ADP Research Institute, the global pandemic has exacerbated the existing supply/demand imbalance in the education sector. The report notes that stagnant wages and a stressful work environment have contributed to this crisis.
Zen Educate: A Digital Solution to Traditional Recruitment Agencies
Founded out of London in 2017, Zen Educate offers an innovative platform that connects schools with teachers. By digitizing traditional recruitment processes, Zen Educate removes the need for expensive intermediaries and charges lower fees compared to rival agencies.
How Zen Educate Works
- Teacher Profiles: Teachers create profiles on the Zen Educate platform, highlighting their skills, experience, and preferences.
- Matching Process: The platform uses data-driven matching algorithms to pair teachers with suitable job openings based on proximity, skills, experience, and other factors.
- Flexible Working Solutions: Teachers can use the platform to find temporary or part-time roles that fit around their lives.
"We believe in empowering educators to have greater flexibility in their work," said Slava Kremerman, co-founder and CEO of Zen Educate. "Our platform is designed to provide flexible working solutions in education, addressing the growing need for such arrangements."
Benefits of Using Zen Educate
- Higher Pay: By taking a smaller cut than traditional agencies, Zen Educate promises higher pay for teachers.
- School Savings: The company’s fee structure ensures that schools save money on recruitment costs.
Expansion Plans
Zen Educate has already made significant inroads in the US market, with operations in four states and 11 regions across England. The latest funding round will support further expansion into new markets and the development of new software for school administrators.
New Software Features
The company plans to introduce new tools for credentialing, compliance, and absence management. This software will be designed to streamline administrative tasks and improve overall efficiency in schools.
Acquisitions
Zen Educate has also announced its second acquisition, purchasing teacher staffing agency Aquinas Education. The deal brings former professional soccer player Jermaine Jenas on board as brand ambassador.
Future Plans
With the latest funding round, Zen Educate is set to complete several more acquisitions in both the US and UK markets. This strategic move will further strengthen the company’s position in the education recruitment sector.
Funding Round Details
The Series B funding round was led by Round2 Capital, with participation from Adjuvo, Brighteye Ventures, FJ Labs, Ascension Ventures, and several angels.
Conclusion
Zen Educate’s innovative platform is addressing a pressing issue in the education sector: the growing teacher shortage crisis. By providing flexible working solutions and streamlining recruitment processes, the company is poised to make a significant impact on the industry. With the latest funding round, Zen Educate is well-positioned for further growth and expansion into new markets.
About Zen Educate
Zen Educate is an online marketplace that connects schools with teachers. Founded in 2017, the company offers a digital solution to traditional recruitment agencies, providing flexible working solutions and higher pay for educators.
